Black agitator and Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan has told thousands of followers that he was planning to reach out to gang leaders to help "protect" the Nation of Islam

In addition to sending letters to black military leaders, Farrakhan said that he planned to contact Chicago's gang leaders to recruit gang members to "protect" any land the Nation of Islam might buy in the future. "All you gangbangers, we know you love to shoot, but you're killing yourselves," Farrakhan said. "All your weapons are illegal and you're using them like savages." But Farrakhan said that gangbangers are "natural soldiers" and could be taught "the science of war" to become protectors of the Nation of Islam's assets in the future. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel weighed in on Farrakhan's gang plan. "I don't think gang members are part of public safety," Emanuel said during a news conference. "They're the problem. And it's quite clear they're the problem." In the summer of 2012, Farrakhan led 500 men known as the Fruit of Islam, who traditionally serve in his security detail, to the city's Auburn Gresham neighborhood in response to the spike in violence in the first half of 2012. He praised the re-election of Barack Obama as a significant historical milestone, but added that Obama's victory would not mean prosperity for black people. Farrakhan also decried the death of Gadhafi, who was killed in 2011. He blamed the former Libyan leader's death on American and European governments, saying that they wanted Gadhafi dead because he was an "impediment" to American and European interests having access to natural resources in Africa. Farrakhan said that he believes the American government also wanted to see black leaders like himself go away. "You killed my brother [Gadhafi], and now you got the same thing in your mind for me," Farrakhan thundered as the crowd rose to its feet applauding. "You want to put your hands on me. In fact, you're plotting it as I'm speaking." Regarding Hagel, Farrakhan said that the Senate was holding up his confirmation because Hagel did not express unconditional support for Israel. He said that Israeli lobbyists are applying pressure to senators to reject Hagel. Farrakhan said that the country needs a Defense secretary like Hagel, who will follow his own conscience.